Nights for Tuesday 11 November 2025

8:10 Government to establish new role following scathing report

A scathing report by the independent police watchdog has found serious misconduct at the highest levels of the police, including a former Commissioner, over how allegations of sexual offending by former Deputy Commissioner Jevon McSkimming were handled.

The allegations against McSkimming include sexual interaction without consent, threats to use an intimate visual recording, and misuse of a police credit card and police property to further a sexual relationship.

The claims arose from a sexual relationship between McSkimming, then 40, and a 21-year-old complainant.

According to the report, when the matter was referred to the Independent Police Conduct Authority, former Commissioner Andrew Coster attempted to influence the scope and timing of the investigation.

Earlier this evening, a press conference was held at the Beehive, where Public Service Minister Judith Collins and Police Minister Mark Mitchell announced that the government will establish an Inspector General of Police.

RNZ political reporter Lillian Hanly was there and speaks to Emile Donovan.

8:20 Is the Booker Prize-winning novel any good? 

Flesh by Hungarian-British writer David Szalay has won the Booker Prize, which is the most prestigious literary prize in the English-speaking world.

RNZ's executive editor of specialist news Jeremy Rees has read all the nominated books. Was it a worthy winner? Jeremy brings his thoughts. 

8:25 The House

Tonight, on The House, Daniela takes a look at questions to MPs who are not Ministers and a rare appearance of this feature at Parliament today. 

8:30 A blueprint for iwi-led housing in New Zealand? 

In Vancouver, the Squamish Nation is building an apartment complex on its reserve land which will be home to at least 9,000 residents. Under Canadian law, no council permission is required to build on reserves. The Spinoff's senior writer Joel McManus discusses whether this could be the future of iwi-led housing in Aotearoa.

8:40 Shower thoughts: what does a ghostwriter actually do? 

Have you ever been standing in the shower, when suddenly, the noise in your brain clears and, in its place, appears the perfect thought?

That's a Shower Thought, and RNZ's Nights is aiming to answer those unshakeable questions lurking in the back of your mind. 

Tonight, our guest Margie Thomson discusses how she became a ghostwriter for musician Stan Walker, and mental health advocate Sir John Kirwan and what it all entails. 

9:05 Nights Quiz

Do you know your stuff? Come on the air and be grilled by Emile Donovan as he dons his quizmaster hat.

If you get an answer right, you move on to the next question. If you get it wrong, your time in the chair is up, and the next caller will be put through. The person with the most correct answers at the end of the run goes in the draw for a weekly prize.

Text your answers to 2101 to get involved.

9:25 The psychology behind Celebrity Traitors

The biggest television show on UK screens this year, spanning young viewers and old, is a reality TV show called Celebrity Traitors UK.

If you're not familiar, it's a game of social deduction: some competitors are Faithful, and some are Traitors, and the Faithful don't know who's who. How do they figure it out? Chaos ensues. The UK celebrity edition also adds big personalities and legacies like Stephen Fry, Celia Imrie and Tom Daley into the mix.

Dan Baumgardt is from the University of Bristol's Department of Psychology and Neuroscience, and is also a Traitors megafan.

He joins Emile Donovan.

9:45 Pacific Waves

A daily current affairs programme that delves deeper into the major stories of the week, through a Pacific lens, and shines a light on issues affecting Pacific people wherever they are in the world. Hosted by Susana Suisuiki.

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10:17 The Detail

On this episode of The Detail, Ruapehu District's mayor says the huge fire still burning in the region could have the same effect on the local economy as the 1996 eruption

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10:45 The Reading

What is it to be a New Zealander?  How is it that some of our recently arrived immigrants seem to put us to shame in terms of our understanding, not just of the rest of the world, but of ourselves?....Tonight's reading is part one of Fellow Citizens by Owen Marshall, read by Stuart Devenie, 

11:07 Worlds of Music

On Worlds of Music, Trevor Reekie hosts a weekly music programme celebrating an eclectic mix of trans global music, fusion and folk roots.